Rodgers and Tomlin Disagree on Botched Flea Flicker in Steelers' Loss to Bengals

A significant communication breakdown emerged within the Pittsburgh Steelers' offense following their 33-31 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday night. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Head Coach Mike Tomlin offered conflicting accounts regarding a controversial "flea flicker" play attempted in the first quarter of the Week 7 matchup.

heavy.com reported, During the play, Rodgers handed the ball to running back Jaylen Warren, who then pitched it back to Rodgers. However, with no open receivers, Rodgers threw the ball away and visibly expressed frustration towards Warren on the field.

Following the game, reporters questioned Coach Tomlin about the play. Tomlin unequivocally stated that a flea flicker was indeed called. His response was a concise, "It was," when asked if the trick play was part of the game plan.

nbcsports.com noted, Conversely, Aaron Rodgers presented a different narrative in his post-game press conference. The veteran quarterback asserted that the play was not intended to be a flea flicker, indicating a clear lack of synchronicity within the offensive unit.

Rodgers explicitly told reporters, "It wasn't supposed to be a flea flicker. We weren't on the same page." This direct contradiction from the team's star quarterback highlights a notable internal discrepancy regarding play execution.

profootballnetwork.com reported, The miscommunication occurred during a crucial early drive, potentially derailing an opportunity for the Steelers to extend their initial 7-0 lead. While not the sole factor in the narrow 33-31 defeat, the incident underscored broader issues in offensive coordination.

• The "flea flicker" play involves a handoff to a running back, who then pitches the ball back to the quarterback, often designed to deceive the defense into thinking it's a run play before a deep pass. In this instance, the execution led to an incomplete pass and a wasted down for the Steelers.
• Aaron Rodgers is in his inaugural season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, having joined the team on a one-year contract for the 2025 NFL season. He has publicly stated that this season will be his last in professional football, adding a layer of scrutiny to his performance and team dynamics.
• The disagreement between Rodgers and Tomlin points to a significant breakdown in communication, either in the play call itself or in its audible adjustment. Rodgers' immediate frustration with Jaylen Warren on the field, reportedly asking "What are you doing? It wasn't a flea flicker!", suggests Warren may have misinterpreted the play.
• This incident occurred in Week 7 of the 2025 NFL season during a Thursday Night Football game against AFC North rival Cincinnati Bengals. The Steelers ultimately lost the high-scoring contest 33-31, falling to a 4-2 record for the season.
• The botched play, which occurred on a second-and-4 from the Steelers' 44-yard line, stalled a promising drive that could have resulted in points. While the Steelers' offense still managed to score 31 points, such missteps can be critical in close games, especially against divisional opponents.
• The differing accounts from a head coach and his starting quarterback can raise questions about team cohesion and trust. Such public discrepancies, particularly concerning a fundamental aspect like play-calling, can become a focal point for media analysis and fan discussion.
• This event follows a pattern of intense moments for Rodgers this season, including a heated exchange with offensive lineman Broderick Jones during a touchdown celebration in the same game. Rodgers' passionate reactions highlight his competitive nature, even if they sometimes lead to public displays of frustration.
• Mike Tomlin's concise response could be interpreted as an attempt to maintain team discipline or protect his players, while Rodgers' detailed explanation aimed to clarify his perspective on the miscue. This divergence offers insight into their respective leadership styles.